The New England Patriots have many needs that can be addressed in this year’s draft, just a few weeks away. Of all their holes, the Patriots may need wide receiver or tight end the most.
In one of the deepest receiver drafts in recent memory, For the Win’s Henry McKenna has the Patriots going in that direction in his latest mock draft. In this edition, the Patriots selected wide receiver Denzel Mims out of Baylor.
Mims spent four seasons at Baylor, recording 186 receptions, 2,986 yards, and 28 touchdowns. This past year, his senior season, Mims was named to the All-Big 12 First-team.
It’s no question that Mims would be a great fit in New England. He could be the perfect complementary weapon to last year’s first-round selection, N’Keal Harry. Harry, who struggled last year while fighting through injuries, was critiqued in college because he couldn’t get consistent separation. Mims, on the other hand, is adept at just that.
His 6-foot-3 frame, 4.38 40-time (third at the combine), and 6.66 3-cone (best at the combine) make Mims a coach’s dream. In this case, that coach is Bill Belichick, who’s been known to take 3-cone times into high consideration. The place where Mims may be most effective is the red zone where the Patriots struggled mightily last season. Prior to his senior season (arguably his best), Mims was considered the top red zone wideout in the Big 12 by Pro Football Focus.
When it came to receiving prowess in the red zone, no one could top Denzel Mims! pic.twitter.com/FYz6Xzk4fG
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) August 22, 2019
If the Patriots’ wide receiver group consists of Julian Edelman, Harry, Mims, and Mohamed Sanu they should feel more than comfortable with the position going into the season. Then, Belichick, Nick Caserio, and co. can spend the rest of the draft filling in the other major holes on the roster.
[vertical-gallery id=83148]